Movie

When her sister died in a car accident so suddenly, Kasahara Sachiko was left trying to pick up the pieces and uncover secrets her sister had been hiding from her. This plot makes it very enticing, which is why I picked up this title to watch. I admit that familiar faces of Kitagawa Keiko and Mukai Osamu also gave me the nudge to actually watch this drama special.

The drama was largely captivating in the sense that it keeps throwing bits and pieces of mystery and murders along the way before the final unveiling of the truth. In that respect, I’d say I enjoyed Kuroi Jukai. However, the way the story goes, I can’t help but wondered why some of the things happened the way they did.

I couldn’t be more happier to finally see the end to one of my most favorite titles of all time. Yes, that’s right. Last week, I finally saw the final installment of Tamayura movies: Tamayura: Sotsugyou Shashin Part 4 – Ashita.

It’s really bittersweet to see this series ends. As I look back on all Tamayura episodes I watched since it first burst into anime scene with a four episode OVA back in 2010, I couldn’t help but to feel I grew with the characters as well. In literal and non literal sense.

For those who watched Yowamushi Pedal anime series and enjoyed the thrills of its inter-high competition might be disappointed with this movie as I did. This movie takes place after the inter-high competition and the different school teams once again gathered to participate in a smaller scale race. Here’s one fact: Not all characters from the series will make appearance in the movie.

Before I go on any further, let me warn you that I don’t attempt to not spoil it for you.

I finally watched The Last: Naruto the Movie after it was released more than a year ago in December 2014. Well, it’s better late than never. I’m interested in this movie primarily because it’s marketed as the story that happened before the last chapter of Naruto manga. Also, Naruto mangaka Kishimoto Masashi plays an important role in the movie production. For the most part, the movie feels a lot like any other Naruto movie in the sense that there are events outside Naruto’s world’s norm.

Personally, I see The Last more of a love story between Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata.

Finally the K-ON movie has reached our shores, so to speak. After it was released last year in Japan, most K-ON fans outside Japan has been eagerly waiting for its arrival. I must say, I’m pleased with the movie. I won’t go so far as to say that it’s worth the wait, but it’s a movie worth considering. Especially if you’re already familiar with K-ON franchise.

Blood Prison revolves around Uzumaki Naruto and his sentence at Houzukijou. He was framed and sent into the prison facility. Being Naruto, he made a huge fuss about it and attempted to escape many times even though his chakra is already being limited by Mui’s imprisonment jutsu. While in prison, Naruto learned that his life is in danger and henceforth embarked on a quest to uncover the truth behind his stay at the prison.

My first thought – Impel Down? It really does feel similar. It was mentioned that once a person gets into Houzukijou, he or she could not get out. I imagine there’ll be powerful people who guard the prison and the whole plot will take place within the confines of the prison. I was half right.

Dare I compare Professor Layton with Detective Conan? Sure, they’re both mystery-solving series but they’re actually based on different approach. Detective Conan relies more on serious crime cases to satisfy audience’s thirst for mystery while Professor Layton’s emphasis is on puzzle games and fun little adventures. Even though I said that, I can’t help but be reminded of Detective Conan’s Full Score of Fear when I finally watched Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva.

The only reason for that is music. The Detective Conan’s 12th movie revolves around stage performances with pipe organs and the Professor Layton movie had something similar. Rest be assured, they are nothing similar story-wise.